The Short and Long-Run Effects of Attending The Schools that Parents Prefer / Diether W. Beuermann, C. Kirabo Jackson.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Beuermann, Diether W.

Contributor:

National Bureau of Economic Research.

Jackson, C. Kirabo.

Series:

Working Paper Series (National Bureau of Economic Research) no. w24920.

NBER working paper series no. w24920

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource: illustrations (black and white);

Place of Publication:

Cambridge, Mass. National Bureau of Economic Research 2018.

Summary:

Using meta-analysis we find that, on average, sought-after schools do not improve student test scores. A potential explanation for this result is that parents value schools that improve outcomes not well-measured by test scores. We explore this notion using both administrative and survey data from Barbados. Using a regression discontinuity design, preferred schools have better peers but do not improve short-run test scores. Consistent with the proposed explanation, the same students at the same schools have more post-secondary school completion and improved adult well-being (based on an index of educational attainment, occupational rank, earnings, and health). These long-run benefits are larger for females who also experience reduced teen motherhood. Mechanisms are explored.

Notes:

Print version record

August 2018.